Had to rescue tortoise from pet shop, Advice?

Lee Royle

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Jodie said it best. CHE and a thermostat will help maintain ambient temps a little warmer for you. Or you could add another incandescent bulb on a timer over the middle of the enclosure. More light is a good thing too.

There are many ways to achieve the results you are looking for.

I don't know about which calcium powders they sell in the UK, but I prefer a plain old calcium carbonate powder. One or more of the brands over there should offer this. Buying one that includes D3 won't hurt anything either.


So calcium carbonate powder that i can buy from any supermarket is suitable for tortoise? It doesn't have to be a specific tortoise brand?
 

Tidgy's Dad

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I think those temperatures are fine for night time, the care sheet says that temps in the 60's are ok as long as the tortoise can warm up the next day and 19/20 is top end of this range, so no problem.
Glad the dandelions did the trick, always works for the greeks here in Morocco.
 

Tom

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So calcium carbonate powder that i can buy from any supermarket is suitable for tortoise? It doesn't have to be a specific tortoise brand?

Personally, I wouldn't risk that. I'd get something formulated for reptiles.
 

Tom

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I agree that 19/20 for night temps should, in theory, be fine, but if your young tortoise's appetite doesn't improve, you might try keeping him a few degrees warmer at night and see if it helps.
 

Lee Royle

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Hoping for all your advice again,

Since the last post, he has been eating and i have added the correct tortoise calcium supplement.

Over this weekend he has slept ALOT, a lot more than my family tortoise (which is over 15) is it normal for him be sleeping so much? He slept most of the day yesterday.

His revised temps are: Basking 35C, Warm side: 25/6C, Cool side: 20C.

I have experimented with the levels of the basking lamp, any further down and it hits 40C mark and it just seems SO hot so changed it back, as you can tell I'm worried about him and just want my mind putting at ease or anymore advice.

He is bathed every day for 15/20 mins, he has urinated twice out of the 5 days in his bath.
 

Tom

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First of all, I think it is great that you are so tuned in and paying such close attention.

Tortoises are creatures of habit and they don't deal well with change sometimes, even if its a good change. Given all we've talked about here, I'm going to guess that you have a little bit of this adjustment period stuff happening here.

I've been given russians before that just seemed sort of "out of sync" with the world. Sometimes it takes them a few months to "click in", but I've had a few that took a couple of years of summer activity and winter hibernation to get them sorted.

Its also normal for younger animals to sleep and hide a lot. If their nutritional and environmental needs are met, why be out walking around potentially exposing yourself to the giant two legged predators who are moving about the area. In time their boldness usually increases.
 
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